LAFRONT corresponds to research, extension and learning lab of the group "Borders, State and Social Relations", located at the Universidade Estadual do Oeste do Paraná (UNIOESTE). Among the main goals of the group are the evaluation of public politics, the offer of assessment to civil society organizations, elaboration and execution of research projects, intervention and social innovation and the organization, publication and disclosure of scientific researches results. The group conceives borders as an analytic category, which results refers to the sense of encounters and conflicts between different civilizing perspectives (where multiple societal, economic and political possibilities are possible). Therefore, it combines the implications of a political history between National States, with local and regional perceptions related to, representation, lived experiences and the interaction between the population on the border region. To achieve the objectives proposed, the group develops individual and collective research projects, carry out a permanent study group, maintain the Observatory of Brazilian Borders (with news, scientific articles and publications related to the thematic) and develops the project "Dialogue" seeking a constant interaction with the community. It's an open group to the inclusion of new members, as well as the establishment of exchange and cooperation in the groups areas of operation.

It's a biannual event that aims to ensure the updating of the research group's discussions, and the establishment of new research networks through the presence of Brazilian and foreign researchers, who are invited to expose the results of their research, to give short courses and, talk about their home institutions. In addition, the colloquium has been configured as one of the moments of presentation of the studies carried out by the members of LAFRONT itself. The publication of the event's results are available in their respective editions.

Specialization in Municipal Planning, Public Policy, Borders and Development

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The objective of the course is to provide knowledge and tools that enable students to evaluate and develop public policies, observing the specialties, the problems and potentialities that characterizes the border territories. The course is offered by UNIOESTE and is aimed at public managers, members of organized civil society and others interested in border studies. For more information, write to cchstow@gmail.com

It's an extension project that aims to monitor and discuss the central facts that occurred on the Brazilian borders by monitoring the news published in online journals available on the internet and also through interviews with researchers on specific topics, available on the LAFRONT blog.

Sources Workshops

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The study project is dedicated to the development of empirical and educational activities carried out in the laboratory, seeking to exchange knowledge about the experiences and practices of fieldwork, reading and discussing methodological texts and, mainly, constant analysis exercises of documentary sources. In this sense, the workshops correspond to an important space for academic training and to prepare researchers for the different situations that may arise during researches.

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Project "Dialogues"

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The purpose of this extension project is to create an environment for reflection on the relationships between the different dimensions of social life in border regions, fostering a space for academic discussion among multiple social agents. In summary, we pursue to establish conversations about significant problems of border populations, strengthening the links between the university, the different state apparatus and society as a whole.